A peony in every garden
It may seem a little dreary this time of year, but not for long! Spring flowers are popping up everywhere in the Lake Champlain Region, and many of them are blooming courtesy of Champlain Peony Company, a newer business in the area. Prior to last autumn's first frost, thousands of spring bulbs were donated by the company and planted in communities along the Adirondack Coast. You'll see these bright, colorful blooms gracing parks and public spaces this spring in Essex, Westport, Willsboro, and springing up in other spots around our area!
Champlain Peony Company, a disabled veteran-owned business, is on a mission to add new growth and beauty to the Lake Champlain Region and beyond. Their vision is that "every home should have a garden, every garden should have a peony, and every peony should bring joy to a life." You'll find Champlain Peony Company's gardens, farm store, and much, much more at 1502 Route 22 in Essex (at the site of the former Essex Ice Cream). The business is easy to find and located on the main route to the Essex Ferry Terminal, so this is a convenient stop if you're crossing the lake. But be warned – there's a lot to see and experience, so make sure to build some extra time into your schedule, or you just might be late to wherever you're headed!
The peonies are just the beginning
Don't be fooled by the name, there is a lot more to this business than the name implies. But first things first! Peonies are Champlain Peony Company's specialty, and their stock is nothing short of world-class. Peonies in many varieties are sourced from around the world and tended in local fields. Some of these varieties are extremely rare, and all are exceptional. Peonies grow especially well in our climate, and take 3-5 years to mature. As the recent plantings in the company's local fields come into full bearing, the business is rounding out some other offerings – the peonies are just the beginning! This new Essex business, selling both locally and nationally to both retail and wholesale customers, also offers an expansive selection of perennial flowering plants, flowering shrubs, fruit trees, seeds, root stock, and more.
In addition, they sell cut stems to businesses throughout the Lake Champlain Region and the major metropolitan areas within a 400 mile radius, do in-house floral design, create grab-and-go arrangements, and can help make your large event spectacular and memorable. (And yes, they do weddings!) For added convenience, you can shop online and either have your order shipped or pick it up at the shop.
An "Agri-Cultural" experience
You've just learned about the "agri" part of this business. You'll be interested to learn that there's a "cultural" part of Champlain Peony Company as well! Make it a point to stop by the shop on Route 22 to truly appreciate the eclectic mix of gardening, guitars, vintage instruments, and more that is in store for you there, all put together by ... classic car enthusiasts? You've got that right! The crew at Champlain Peony Company has combined so many interests and curiosities in one location that creates a unique, can't-miss stop on the Adirondack Coast.
If that's not enough, 22 Brew shares this space and makes one of the best espressos you can find anywhere! Stop by to learn about peonies and talk gardening, shop the farm store, and pick up an espresso or a grab-and-go floral arrangement. To level up and make someone's day extra bright, pair blooms purchased from Champlain Peony Company with something special from one of the area's local shops for a memorable gift! Or bring a friend and stop for a bite to eat along the way at one of the area's many dining options. Either way you'll leave with plenty to make the day beautiful.
